Commencement Information
- Ceremony dates and times
- Venue information
- Directions and parking information
- Livestream and virtual slides
- School/College receptions
- Frequently asked questions
Commencement Ceremonies
May 13, 2023: Miller School of Medicine commencement ceremony celebrates the Class of 2023 — The 211 graduating medical students received their Doctor of Medicine degrees and recited the Hippocratic Oath as they set out on the next step in their medical training journey.
May 13, 2023: School of Law commencement speakers lift with life lessons — Graduates at the School of Law walked the stage at the Watsco Center to the cheers of family and friends celebrating the culmination of their legal education and the affirmation of bright futures.
May 12, 2023: Undergraduate students celebrate their past, future — During Friday’s undergraduate ceremonies, commencement speakers told students to take stock in themselves, trust their instincts, be “willing to dream,” and “be a hero.” President Julio Frenk said they showed incredible resilience and will be 'Canes who will "go forth and change the world."
May 11, 2023: Graduates urged to embrace mindfulness, value Miami's diversity — Commencement exercises got underway on Thursday with two graduate ceremonies. It was the beginning of seven events that will take place over three days at the Watsco Center on the Coral Gables Campus. Read about both events.
Commencement Highlights
May 15, 2023: Students graduate with a feathered flair — Ethan Hartz, Devin Gialleonardo, and Michael O’Reilly donned yellow fuzzy feet at Friday’s undergraduate commencement ceremonies, revealing their identities as the University of Miami’s iconic mascot, Sebastian the Ibis.
May 11-12, 2023: Visit the sights and sounds of the commencement ceremonies — View engaging photos and video from commencement ceremonies held at the Watsco Center on the Coral Gables Campus.
May 12, 2023: Student-athletes earn degrees at spring commencement — Fourteen of the University’s athletic programs are represented during commencement held at the Watsco Center, led by the football team with 19 graduates. Five members of the men’s basketball Final Four squad, including 2022-23 ACC Player of the Year Isaiah Wong, are set to graduate, as well as seven members of the women’s basketball Elite Eight team, including All-ACC second-team selection Destiny Harden.
May 11, 2023: Black graduating students celebrated at Senior Mwambo — The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs hosted Senior Mwambo, its annual rite of passage ceremony, on Wednesday to commend Black graduates as they prepare for the next phase in their lives.
May 10, 2023: The José Milton Foundation endows tech law scholarship in honor of daughter’s graduation — The Diana Milton and Ana VeigaMilton Tech Law Endowed Scholarship will provide financial assistance to law students with a STEM degree and an interest in practicing law and technology.
May 10, 2023: Tuition remission benefits support employee-graduate — Ahead of receiving her master’s degree on Thursday, Demi Rafuls shared how tuition remission benefits helped to advance her education.
May 8, 2023: LGBTQIA+ students’ achievements take center stage — “Lavender Celebration reaches and acknowledges the LGBTQ+ community and allies on campus,” said Dija Thomas, a graduating senior who was this year’s undergraduate student speaker at the event that was sponsored by the LGBTQ Student Center and the University of Miami Alumni Association.
May 4, 2023: Pioneers to share their stories, guide graduates — In seven separate ceremonies, distinguished speakers will take the stage to offer advice and praise during the spring 2023 commencement exercises honoring students who will be receiving their bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, as well as those receiving their J.D. and M.D. designations.
Student Stories
Communication is key for graduating senior
For Katarina Jenkins, the decision to attend the University was an easy one. Her mom was an alumna, and both her parents grew up in Miami. “I wanted to stay connected to some of the roots that I did have,” she said. And the importance of connecting with people made the School of Communication the obvious choice for her.
Civic-minded student chosen for yearlong fellowship
Combining his passion for medicine, creative writing, and social change, Fabrizio Darby was recognized for his contributions to the creation of Answer Campus—an interactive, situation-based game that allows users to engage in complex conversations about identity—and was picked as the Newman Civic Fellow for 2022-23.
Architecture graduate student makes a play for her passion
After beginning her professional career in sports broadcasting and reporting, Amber Kountz pivoted to chase her dream of becoming an architect.
Advocate for change wants to serve others
During the summer of 2021, Paul Douillon represented the University of Miami as a Frederick Douglass Global Fellow in Ireland. He was one of 14 high-achieving U.S. college students of color who spent a month on the Emerald Isle learning about leadership, intercultural communication, and social justice.
Public health classes ‘opened my eyes’
“Public health showed me an opportunity to be incredibly proactive and make a difference in countless people’s lives,” said Megan Piller, who will earn her degree in public health from the School of Nursing and Health Studies.
International student aims to make a difference
Iman Sami, who is from England, has made her mark at the U with her heavy involvement in campus activities—from participating in Student Government and the President’s 100 to starting a political magazine and garnering top spots on the Debate Team—and she is contemplating options for her road ahead.
Graduating senior seizes every opportunity
From scholarships to internships and with a long list of on-campus and off-campus activities, Jamie Williams-Smith grabbed all the opportunities that came her way. And on Friday she will be the first person in her immediate family to graduate from college.
Power of choice was a strong guide
When faced with challenges, Jordyn Desir made intentional choices and was able to amass a wealth of accomplishments. The University of Miami's NAACP “Entrepreneur of the Year” credits her professors and family with offering support throughout her undergraduate studies.
Courses allowed exploration beyond the boundaries
Whitaker Redgate dedicated his undergraduate studies to creativity and innovation through interdisciplinary projects in extended reality, architecture, and business—taking as many opportunities as he could to merge his curiosities and skills to master emerging technologies.
Graduating senior will continue to explore the oceans
Claire Fandel excelled in chemistry and marine science during her undergraduate academics at the University of Miami. This fall, she will begin studying for her doctorate in ocean sciences at the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science.
Resiliency was key in experiencing the best of campus life
At first, Peyton Hodges was homesick. But when she got more active on campus, things started to change. “These experiences truly opened the door for me,” said Hodges, who graduates on Friday with majors in psychology and chemistry.
Graduate to address peers in commencement speech
Sydney Stropes, who will earn two degrees—nursing from the School of Nursing and Health Studies and religion and health care from the College of Arts and Sciences—was selected to address fellow undergraduates at the 1 p.m. undergraduate ceremony on Friday.
Child advocate looks to expand leadership role
Roxana Lemus, who worked full time while taking two seven-week classes per semester, is graduating with a Master of Public Administration from UOnline and will address fellow graduates at the commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. on Thursday.
Graduating senior finds her calling in the classroom
After earning a degree in community and applied psychological studies, Teresa Vazquez will begin a Ph.D. program in counseling psychology. She plans to do some clinical work but ultimately become a research professor.
Engineering graduate’s aerospace career is ready for liftoff
After making his mark at the University as a member of the Rocket ’Canes launch team, contributing to three major projects, and playing club soccer, Alexander Ezzy has earned a degree in mechanical engineering and will be applying his innovative spirit and design skills to the aerospace industry.
